This week on Arizona Illustrated…we spend another week looking into the Arizona Public Media archives; Steve Kerr gets drafted; Nerds get their revenge in Tucson; the saga of Hamlet the Pig; catching up with Up With People; we meet pianist Evan Kory as our month-long look at the Morley Art’s District in Nogales continues and looking back at the renovation of the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Tucson while it was still in progress in 2004.
From the Vault excerpts
Steve Kerr 1988; Casting Revenge of the Nerds; Hamlet the Pig
Up With People
Up With People might be Tucson’s largest cultural export but most young people have never heard of it. The group was founded in Tucson in 1968 by Blanton Belk and went on to perform in 72 countries around the world, including performances at the Olympics and four Super Bowl halftime shows. The group formed as an alternative to hippie youth culture and were adored by politicians and corporations. Over fifty years after it’s formation, Up With People is still traveling, performing concerts, doing community service and outreach everywhere the group goes. We caught up with the group in March 2017 while they were back in Tucson to see what they are up to now.
Evan Kory, The Mosaic of Morley
Pianist and community organizer Evan Kory grew up on Morley Ave due to family stores that were started by his grandparents in 1947. Evan provides context for the melting pot of immigrant families from many far places who’ve settled on Morley Avenue, creating a diverse area in a small town. Starting on the piano at the age of five, Evan went on to receive his doctorate in music from Julliard. After touring the world performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center Alice Tully Hall, Leipzig Bach Archive, Lyceum of Arts Recital Hall in St. Petersburg Russia, and the Beijing International Music Festival, Evan is now back in Nogales, leading the effort to revitalize downtown Nogales through the Morley Arts District. He credits his career as a musician for preparing him to be an arts organizer. He understands how to listen and incorporate all perspectives so that all players feel a sense of belonging and contribute to the beautiful mosaic that’s being created on Morley Avenue.
Restoring the Fox – 2004 (TRT 4:20)
Looking back at the renovation of the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Tucson while it was still in progress in 2004.
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